iPad 2 vs iPad 4 vs iPad Mini – Side-by-Side Comparison

As you may know already, Apple has finally announced the very existence of its own scaled-down tablet, the iPad mini. For the Cupertino company, the downsized iPad is their one-way ticket to finally competing in the mid-size tablet market dominated by devices such as the Nexus and Kindle Fire. Over the past few months, the amount of hype and rumors about the iPad mini was downright insane. The announcement of the iPad mini itself was not exactly a surprise because most of the rumors regarding the device turned out to be quite accurate. What came as a surprise however was the announcement of the fourth generation iPad, considering that the iPad 3 was only on the market for just 6 months.With the recent development of events, this means that customers now have three different iPads to choose from. These options can become quite overwhelming for the average customer, especially if they are used to the simplicity of Apple in the past. If one wants a tablet, he or she gets an iPad. If a smartphone is required, an iPhone would be a no-brainer. If you want merely a multimedia device, then an iPod touch would suit your needs. Now if you want a tablet, you have three options to choose from. The iPad 2, iPad 4 with Retina Display, and of course, the iPad mini.

First is the iPad 2, a tablet which has been on the market for about 20 months now. Although it doesn't have the eye-popping Retina Display technology of the newest iPad, the 2nd-gen variant is a very solid tablet which can certainly cater to most people's needs. It houses a dual-core A5 processor which should be more than enough to run most commercial apps and play high-end games without performance issues. As for the display, the resolution of the iPad 2 can display up to 1024 x 768 resolution across its 9.7-inch screen. If you want a cheap tablet with a large screen, then the iPad 2 is the way to go. But keep in mind that the technology inside it is now about 2 years old.

As for the new iPad with Retina display or the 4th-gen iPad, it will completely replace the iPad 3 which was released earlier this March. The latest iPad contains the quad-core A6X SoC which is twice as fast as the one that was released back in March. You can trust that using the iPad 4 will be a fast and smooth experience. And then of course, you can't disregard the fact that it has a beautiful Retina Display capable of displaying 2048 x 1536 resolution at 264 pixels per inch (ppi). It also includes features like the new Lightning dock connector, improved Wi-Fi, HD FaceTime, LTE Support for selected countries and more.As for the iPad mini, obviously its main strength is the fact that it is a very portable device. Much like the iPad 2, it houses a Dual-core A5 chip, which can be quite a downer considering that it is already two-years old. Its 7.9-inch screen doesn't have Retina Display although it is capable of displaying 1024 x 768 resolution at 163 pixels per inch (ppi) which is only a bit higher than the 2nd-gen tablet. However, it does have highly improved features like 5MP camera, FaceTime HD camera, Lightning dock connector, and many others.

Apple has put up an official comparison which compares the iPad mini, iPad 2 and new iPad with Retina display. Check it out below:So which iPad model should you go for? Well, it all depends on your requirements and needs. If you are looking for a tablet that can provide you with the most basic functions with a larger screen, then the iPad 2 should be a good choice. If you want the latest and greatest from Apple, and want the best in terms of performance and display quality, then the iPad 4 should be your best bet. On the other hand, if you want a tablet that is portable and light with very decent specs, then the iPad mini option is a good purchase.

Again, it all depends on your needs and requirements. So which iPad model are you planning to buy?